Sexual and Reproductive Health

Sexual and Reproductive Health education and awareness is an essential component to sexual assault prevention. By creating a comprehensive sex education curriculum, we include the key skills of gaining consent, respecting boundaries and healthy communication.

Tufts’ sex education focuses on a student’s right to have agency of their own sexuality; to feel comfortable in their own body; and, to accept and learn about other sexualities. Sex positivity is grounded in inclusive, comprehensive sex education focusing on empowerment and eliminating gender roles. Our goal is to have students make decisions about their sexual activity based on consent, pleasure and the physical, emotional, and psychological aspects involved with intimacy. We strive to create a sex positive environment where we value consent and options, where everyone is comfortable asking questions, getting medical services and reporting sexual violence.

Nuvaring (vaginal contraceptive ring)

The birth control ring (AKA NuvaRing) is a safe, simple, and affordable birth control method that you wear inside your vagina. The small, flexible ring prevents pregnancy by releasing hormones into your body.

The ring stays in for three weeks. If it slides out during that time, just rinse it off in cool water and put it back in. After three weeks, take it out and throw it away (in its original packaging). Then have 7 days ring free. You will have your period during that time. At the end of the 7 ring free days, put a new ring in (even if you are still spotting).

Things to note: This does not protect against sexually transmitted infections.

Birth Control Pill

Birth control pills are a kind of medicine with hormones that you take every day to prevent pregnancy. There are many different brands of pills. The pill is safe, affordable, and effective if you always take it on time. Besides preventing pregnancy, the pill has lots of other health benefits, too.

Things to note: This does not protect against sexually transmitted infections.

Birth Control Implant*

The birth control implant (AKA Nexplanon) is a tiny, thin rod about the size of a matchstick. The implant releases hormones into your body that prevent you from getting pregnant. A nurse or doctor inserts the implant into your arm and that’s it — you’re protected from pregnancy for up to 4 years. It’s get-it-and-forget-it birth control. Things to note: This does not protect against STIs (sexually transmitted infections). This cannot be inserted on site at Health Services, so the clinicians will work with you to find a local provider to do this. * Health Services can consult on these methods of birth control but cannot perform the insertions onsite. If you choose this method of birth control, your clinician will work with you to find a local provider for this.

Birth Control Shot

The Depo shot (AKA Depo-Provera) is an injection you get from a nurse or doctor once every 3 months. It’s a safe, convenient, and private birth control method that works well if you always get it on time. Things to note: This does not protect against STIs (sexually transmitted infections).

Condoms

There are two types of condoms - the external condom (which is directly put on the penis or sex toy) or the internal condom also known as the female condom (is inserted into the vagina, anus, or sex toy).

Condoms provide great protection from both pregnancy and STIs. They’re easy to use and easy to get.

Things to note: Condoms also prevent STIs by limiting contact with semen and vaginal fluids, and skin-to-skin contact that can spread sexually transmitted infections. Lambskin condoms do not protect against STIs. Only latex and plastic condoms do.
Tufts provides free condoms that you can pick up from the Health Services. The CARE office also has Jumbo Condom Circus, a free condom delivery services that will deliver a package to your on-campus residence hall.

IUD (Interuterine Device) *

An IUD is a tiny device that’s inserted in your uterus to prevent pregnancy. It’s long-term, reversible, and one of the most effective birth control methods out there. There are 5 different brands of IUDs that are FDA approved for use in the United States: ParaGard, Mirena, Kyleena, Skyla, and Liletta. These IUDs are divided into 2 types: copper IUDs (ParaGard) and hormonal IUDs (Mirena, Kyleena, Skyla, and Liletta).

Things to note: This does not protect against sexually transmitted infections.

* Health Services can consult on these methods of birth control but cannot perform the insertions onsite. If you choose this method of birth control, your clinician will work with you to find a local provider for this.

Emergency Contraception is available whenever Health Service is open. If you have questions about EC when Health Service is closed, call them at 617-627-3350. For more information about EC methods, click here.

You can use emergency contraception to prevent pregnancy if:

you didn’t use a condom or other birth control method when you had vaginal sex

you messed up your regular birth control (forgot to take your birth control pills, change your patch or ring, or get your shot on time) and had vaginal sex

your condom broke or slipped off after ejaculation (cumming)

your partner didn't pull out in time

you were forced to have unprotected vaginal sex

If you use emergency contraception correctly after you have unprotected sex, it makes it much less likely that you’ll get pregnant. But don’t use it regularly as your only protection from pregnancy, because it’s not as effective as regular, non-emergency birth control methods (like the IUD, pill, or condoms).

Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis

HIV PrEP is a medical treatment to protect you from HIV infection. PrEP is for people who are not HIV positive but are at high risk of infection through sex or IV drug use. PrEP combines two medications in a single pill that is taken once a day for a period of months or years to prevent HIV. It is highly effective if taken very consistently.

Most insurances, including Tufts student health insurance, cover the cost of medications for PrEP. We will help you connect with patient assistance programs that will cover the co-pays, so that PrEP will be available to you without any out of pocket expense.

For more information on PrEP including where to get it in MA visit: Talk PrEP

Post-Exposure Prophylaxis

PEP is medication that should be taken as soon as possible AFTER a high-risk exposure to reduce the chance of acquiring HIV. This could happen because of a sexual assault, or having unprotected sex with someone who has HIV, or sharing needles with someone who has HIV. Even if taken correctly, there is no guarantee that taking PEP will work. It needs to be started within 72 hours of a possible exposure, and ideally within 24 hours. Typically you will need to take a combination of three medications for 28 days.

Most insurance, including Tufts student health insurance, covers the cost of PEP. You will be responsible for the co-pays.

If you are concerned about a risky sexual exposure, go to Health Services the same day if open or as soon as they open the next day. If the next day is a Sunday (when Health Service isn’t open), you can call 617-627-3350 and follow the prompts to reach our nurse line. The nurse can connect you with the clinician on call, if needed.

If you are worried about a symptom or have been exposed to someone diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection (STI) you can utilize walk-in hours at Health Services any time they are open. For routine testing, you can schedule an appointment with a clinician or utilize STI Express through your Tufts Patient Portal. Screening can be important for anyone who is sexually active. Health Services provides routine STI testing and it is a regular part of gynecologic appointments.

Which test you get depends on your exposures and sexual practices. A Health Service clinician will discuss your sexual history with you as well as symptoms of various STIs. Health Services can test for almost any STI. STIs can be testing can include blood tests, urine tests, and swabbing.

Risk of exposures

A person’s risk of exposure to an STI depends on several factors including type of STI, type of sexual contact, whether a barrier method was used or if there are any active symptoms. In some cases, depending on the STI, transmission can happen when there are no obvious symptoms. When you come in for STI testing (either with or without symptoms), your clinician will likely ask you questions about recent sexual history to help determine which tests should be done. Don't be afraid to ask the clinician for clarification of any questions they might ask you.

Cost/Insurance Fees

These vary depending on the test. Tufts student health insurance and many private insurances policies cover STI testing. Health Services can work with you to see if any charges can be billed to your insurance company.